ELS European Language School

1) To know your onions = to be knowledgeable about a subject
Out tour guide certainly knew her onions.
2) A couch potato = a lazy person who spends too much time on a couch
He spends his days watching TV and eating pizza – he’s such a couch potato.
3) As cool as a cucumber = someone who remains calm during a troubled moment
During the fire Chris remained as cool as cucumber.
4) Not my cup of tea = not the type of thing I like
Ballroom dancing is not my cup of tea.
5) Can’t cut the mustard = not up to the required standard
He was a good tennis player but he couldn’t cut the mustard as a professional.
6) To be nuts = to be crazy
She wants to climb Mount Everest in just a t-shirt – he must be nuts.
7) To be in a pickle = to be experiencing a difficult situation
My money was stolen and my credit card doesn’t work. I’m in a pickle, could you help, please?
8) A smart cookie = to be clever
He passed all his exams with flying colors. He’s certainly a smart cookie.
9) The big cheese = the boss or the most important person
It’s an important decision we should ask the big cheese what to do.
10) It’s no use crying over spilt milk = don’t be sad about past misfortunes
You’ve lost all your money in that investment but move on – it’s no use crying over spilt milk.
11) Not a sausage = nothing
- Did you find anything out from the mayor? – No, not a sausage.

1. Okey dokey = ok
2. Super-duper = great, wonderful
I’ve got something super-duper for you today.
3. The nitty-gritty = the essential aspects, the most important details
We are going to get to the Nitty Gritty of reduplication.
4. Mumbo jumbo = nonsense
He is speaking a lot of mumbo jumbo.
5. Tittle-tattle = idle talk, insignificant conversation
It’s very important, it’s not just tittle-tattle
6. To chop chop = hurry up
You need to chop chop if you want to make it.
7. To dilly-dally = waste time, linger
Don’t dilly-dally, you need to work hard.
8. Easy-peasy = very easy
It’s easy-peasy to learn 3 words a day.
9. A no-no = it is forbidden, not allowed
Even though using mobile phones in a class is a no-no, students do it anyway.
10. Hush-hush = be quiet, stop talking
Hush-hush everybody, don’t you know that this is a library?
11. Night night = good night (said before going to bed)
I’m tired, night night, everybody.
12. Ha ha = to say something is funny but often used sarcastically
I fell over in the street, okay, yeah, yeah, ha-ha, why is that funny?
13. A goody-goody = someone who always follows the rules and is too respectful too authority
You do your homework on time, you don’t stay up late, you never drink, you’re such a goody-goody, Nick.
14. Arty-farty = showing an interest in the arts and high culture
Look at you with your books about Dostoevsky writing poetry, you’re so arty-farty.
15. Willy-nilly = without direction, in a haphazard way
Don’t write things down willy-nilly, you need a plan, you need to be methodical
16. Higgledy-piggledy = in a confused or disordered way
The books on the shelf in the library were not in any order, they had just been place there higgledy-piggledy and that’s why the librarian was fired.
17. A chick flick = a film particularly appreciated by women
I wanted to see Fast and Furious 12, she wanted to see Love Actually and in the end yeah, we went to see the chick flick.
18. Knick-knacks = small, worthless objects that decorate a room
Her bedroom was filled with knick-knacks she had acquired on her travels.
19. Riff-raff = people with a bad reputation or of a low social class
Mrs. Jones stayed in her rich neighborhood and never ventured downtown because she didn’t like to mix with what she called the riff-raff.
20. Wishy-washy = lacking in firm ideas or principles
They said the book was inspirational but, honestly, it just had a few wishy-washy clichés about ‘follow your dreams’ and ‘just do it’
21. To hobnob = to mix socially with those of high social status
I was invited to the mayor’s garden party and I spent the afternoon hobnobbing with local celebrities.
22. Teeny-weeny = very tiny
I’m sorry, I was a teeny-weeny bit drunk last night.
23. Argy-bargy = a serious argument or conflict
If I don’t get what I want, there’s going to be some argy-bargy, you know what I mean.
24. To be even-stevens = to result in a balance of winning and losing
My girlfriend ran away with my best friend but I did get a fantastic new job, so at the end of the week I would say that I’m even-stevens.
25. Double-trouble = twice as much trouble
You were rude to me today but if you’re to my wife, there will be double-trouble, yeah.
26. A bigwig = a very important person
Nothing happens in town without Potter’s permission, he’s the bigwig around here.
27. A fat cat = an overpaid businessman
Workers on the factory floor get paid almost nothing while the fat cats in the boardroom earn millions.
28. A walkie-talkie = a portable two-way radio
Hello, yes, I can hear you loud and clear on my walkie-talkie.
29. Lovey-dovey = excessively affectionate and sentimental especially in public
When I walked in the room, Jack and Tara were getting all lovey-dovey on the couch.
30. Wakey wakey = wake up
It’s time to get up, we are leaving in 10 minutes, wakey wakey.
31. A mish-mash = a confused mixture of things
The town hall building was a mishmash of Neo-gothic modern and classical styles.
32. A fuddy-duddy = a person who is old-fashioned (usually too much)
- In my day songs had a nice tune, modern music is terrible, it’s just a noise. - Oh, you’re such a fuddy-duddy.
33. Topsy-turvy = in complete confusion or disorder
The topsy-turvy months after the revolution were eventually followed by order and calm once free elections were held.
34. Boo-boo = a stupid mistake
All evening I was calling Jane but her name is Victoria, it was quite a boo-boo.
35. Boy toys = toys and equipment especially appreciated by boys
He loved his motorbike, his sports car, his games console, his drone and all his boy toys.
36. Toy boy = a young man in a relationship with a much older woman
You know her boyfriend is 20 years younger than her, you might call him her toy boy.
37. Chit-chat = informal conversation
- So what did you talk about? – Nothing interesting, just office chit-chat mostly.
38. Zigzag = a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns
The path zigzagged through the forest.
39. A nitwit = a stupid or foolish person
Yes, you find people who believe the earth is flat and others who don’t believe climate change is man-made, these people are just nitwits.
40. Hanky-panky = bad behavior (sometimes of a dishonest, illegal or s*xual nature)
I came back after the weekend and I find empty vodka bottles, cigarette butts and the place is mess, what kind of hanky-panky has been going on here?
41. Clap-trap = absurd or nonsensical talk or ideas
Politicians promised if we left the European Union, everything would be easy and wonderful in this country, now we know this is just clap-trap.

1. Se fringuer = s’habiller
Je me fringue très bien pour sortir le soir
2. Flipper = avoir la trouille (avoir peur)
Je flippe à chaque fois que j’ai un examen. C’est terrible, je ne peux pas dormir.
3. Galérer, ramer = avoir des difficultés dans ce qu’on entreprend, ne pas arriver, faire beaucoup d’efforts mais ne pas avoir beaucoup de résultats
Je galère avec mes exercices de français. Je rame quand je dois m’exprimer en français.
4. Trimer = bo**er dur
Il a trimé toute sa vie pour faire quelques économies.
5. Assurer = être à la hauteur de la situation ; être compétent dans un domaine
Il s’est beaucoup entraîné au judo et il a vraiment assuré au championnat et il a remporté la médaille de bronze. J’ai assuré à mon examen de français.
6. Picoler = boire de l’alcool
Le samedi soir, on picole beaucoup.
7. Puer = sentir mauvais
Cette poubelle pleine de déchets, ça pue.
8. Se tirer = se barrer (partir)
Wouah, ça pue ici, je me barre. Ça pue ici, je me tire.
9. Frimer = se la péter (vouloir impressionner quelqu’un)
Ah, il frime avec sa nouvelle voiture.
10. Se faire arnaquer = se faire avoir
J’ai acheté une belle voiture mais je me suis fait arnaquer. Le vendeur m’a dit que c’était une voiture neuve mais en fait elle n’était pas neuve.
11. Tchatcher = parler, bavarder
Moi, j’aime beaucoup tchatcher avec mes copains.
12. A vous de jouer = c’est à vous à travailler
Maintenant, c’est à vous à travailler.

1) Tiré par les cheveux = c’est très compliqué, c’est trop complexe
2) La moutarde me monte au nez = on commence à s’énerver, la colère commence à te monter
3) Ça se voit comme le nez au milieu de la figure = quelque chose est très visible et très évident
4) C’est le pied = c’est super
5) Mettre les pieds dans le plat = quand on a fait une gaffe, c’est-à-dire quand on a dit quelque chose qu’il ne fallait pas dire
6) Une langue de bois = parler mais ne rien dire
7) Avoir la gu**le de bois = on a trop bu d’alcool la veille
8) Ça me prend la tête = ça m’énerve, ça me dérange, ça m’ennuie
9) Faire la sourde oreille = comme si on n’entendait pas quoi ; tu dis quelque chose et puis je fais comme si j’avais pas entendu, parce que j’ai pas envie
10) Les murs ont des oreilles = il y a toujours quelqu’un pour écouter
11) Jeter un coup d’oeil = regarder quelque chose rapidement
12) Ne pas fermer l’oeil de la nuit = on’a très mal dormi
13) Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre = avoir des projets qui étaient trop, qui étaient supérieirs par rapport à ce qu’on peut réellement faire
14) J’y tiens comme à la prunelle de mes yeux = estimer énormément quelque chose
15) Ça m’a coûté les yeux de la tête = ça m’a coûté très cher
16) Ne pas avoir les yeux en face des trous = quand tu ne vois pas quelque chose qui es très évident
17) Donner un coup de main à quelqu’un = aider quelqu’un, rendre un service à quelqu’un
18) Avoir la main verte = être très fort pour faire pousser des plantes, pour le jardinage ; être doué pour le jardinage
19) Avoir le bras long = avoir de l’influence, avoir des amis qui peuvent t’aider
20) Avoir la bouche en cul de poule = quand on essaye d’être gentil avec quelqu’un, d’être mielleux pour obtenir quelque chose

1. First and foremost = the most important thing
Now, first and foremost, I want to tell you what you have to remember from this class.
2. Time and time again = very often
Native speakers use these expressions time and time again.
3. Loud and clear = very clear and easy to understand
I will say this loud and clear, you need to practice every day.
4. Part and parcel = an essential part
Binomials are part and parcel of the English language.
5. Sooner or later = it will happen some time in the future
Sooner or later you will become fluent.
6. Little by little = gradually
Little by little you will become confident.
7. Step by step = to progress gradually
Step by step you have to start adding binomials to your vocabulary.
8. Good and proper = very well
Mary speaks French good and proper.
9. The nitty gritty = the essential aspects, the most important details
We are going to the nitty-gritty of the balance sheet.
10. Give or take = approximately, possibly a small difference to the amount mentioned
You will learn 20 expressions today, give or take one or two.
11. Short and sweet = brief and relevant and in a way that is pleasing
I have a lot to tell you but I will keep it short and sweet.
12. Hustle and bustle = busy, active and noisy
So, please take a moment away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life to study this important lesson
13. Now or never = do it immediately, the chance might not come again
Do it now. It’s now or never.
14. Loud and clear = in a way that is clear and easy to understand
I hear you loud and clear.
15. Take it or leave it = it is a non-negotiable offer
This is my final offer. You can take it or leave it.
16. Rise and shine = It’s time to wake up
Wake up now, it’s already 9am. Rise and shine.
17. Flesh and blood = to be a member of the family
I know he’s rude and cruel but I can’t abandon Nick. He’s my brother, he’s my flesh and blood.
18. Sink or swim = you must fail or succeed by your own efforts
New businesses entering the market don’t get any help from anybody; so, it’s sink or swim.
19. Sick and tired = to be fed up of something or someone
Every time we meet you are at least 20 minutes late. I’m sick and tired of it.
20. Mumbo jumbo = nonsense
Astrology is just a load of mumbo jumbo.
21. Culture vulture = a person who is interested in the arts and cultural events
She goes to the museum, the opera, the theatre, something like that every day. She’s such a culture vulture.
22. Wine and dine = to provide good food, drink and entertainment
Our hosts were very kind. They wined and dined us throughout our stay.
23. Live and learn = to discover something surprising that adds to your experience of life
I thought I could trust him, but I couldn't. Oh well, live and learn.
24. From rags to riches = to rise from poverty to wealth
This is a story of rags to riches from a poor child in the ghetto to a multi-million-dollar business empire.
25. Tried and tested = something that has proven in the past to be effective or reliable
Wearing a helmet is a tried and tested way of making a bike journey safer. So you should do it too.
26. Time after time = repeatedly
You make the same mistake time after time.
27. Let bygones be bygones = forget past disagreements and reconcile
The argument we had happened over 10 years ago. Let bygones be bygones and let’s be friends again.
28. All in all = with all things considered
All in all, this is the best smartphone on the market.
29. Beg steal or borrow = to do whatever is necessary to get what you want
I will do anything to make you happy. I will beg, steal and borrow.
30. Tom, Dick or/and Harry = any unspecified person (or persons)
Look, ask any Tom, Dick or Harry and they will tell you broccoli is good for you. Why do you think you know better?
31. Not in any (in no) way, shape or form = definitely not
Absolutely not, you cannot be part of this organization in any way, shape or form.
32. S***k and span = very clean and very tidy
When I get back, I want this house looking s***k and span.
33. By hook or by crook = by any means possible
By hook or by crook I’ll find out the name of the person who betrayed me.
34. By and large = generally, for the most part
By and large, pigs are more intelligent than dogs.
35. Tall, dark and handsome = to refer to a classically good looking guy (with dark hair and not short
Detective Smart was tall, dark and handsome and about 30 years old.
36. Safe and sound = to be safe, not in any danger
Oh there you are, it’s late I was worried about you. I’m glad you are safe and sound.
37. Ups and downs = good moments and bad moments
Life has its ups and downs, there are joyful times but difficult moments too.
38. Pure and simple = no additional explanation for something other than what was just said
You are the best. Pure and simple.
39. Pride and joy = the object of one’s great pleasure
Our new grandson is our pride and joy.
40. Now and then = sometimes
Now and then I wonder what life would have been like if I had stayed in Scotland.
41. Back and forth = moving first in one direction and then in the opposite one
Grandmother sat in her rocking chair swaying back and forth all evening.
42. Wear and tear = damage resulting from ordinary, everyday use
The uniform needs to be replaced every couple of years because of wear and tear.
43. Down and about = destitute, without money and a place to live
After his wife ran off with the butcher and he lost his job at the post office, he ended up down and out asking passers-by for spare change in the city center.
44. Tooth and nail = to fight intensively, and fiercely for something
I will fight this case tooth and nail in the court until I am proved innocent.
45. High and dry = in a difficult situation and unable to do anything about it
When the principal actress got sick at the last minute without a replacement, the theatre was left high and dry.
46. Law and order = a situation where respect for the rules of the country is being obeyed
After the revolution there was a complete breakdown in law and order.
47. Odds and ends = some small matters to attend to
I’ll be back soon, I’ve just got a few odds and ends to finish up at the office.
48. Odds and ends = various things of different types, usually small and not important
In this box I keep the odds and ends I need for sewing.
49. Song and dance = to make an unnecessary fuss about something
Ok, the spoon was dirty, sorry, but it’s not that serious. Don’t make a song and dance about it.
50. An arm and a leg = very expensive
My new car is my pride and joy but it cost me an arm and a leg.
51. Tit for tat = action taken in revenge for something unpleasant done to you
Jane didn’t come to Sara’s birthday party and now Sara has not invited Jane to her wedding. It’s clearly a case of tit for tat.
52. Black and white = a situation where it’s easy to understand which is right and which is wrong
Free trade is not a black and white issue. There are advantages and disadvantages.
53. Black and white = clearly written
You have no excuses; the rules were written in black and white before you started.
54. Done and dusted = to be completely finished
Now the deal is done and dusted. We can go out and celebrate.
55. Far and wide = over a large area
We have looked far and wide for a replacement but so far without success.
56. Pros and cons = advantages and disadvantages
There are pros and cons of living in a big city.
57. No ifs and buts = without any excuses or discussion
Now I don’t want to hear any ifs and buts, just do what I told you to do.
58. Born and bred = to have been born and grown up in a particular place
I’m a Londoner born and bred.
59. Rough and ready = crude but effective
The accommodation in the village was rough and ready but it was good enough for our needs.
60. Through thick and thin = during good times and bad times
My wife has stood by me for over 30 years through thick and thin.

50 ways to say "Good luck"

1. All the best!
2. Be careful!
3. Best of luck!
4. Fingers crossed!
5. I hope things will turn out fine.
6. Wishing you all the best!
7. Wishing you lots of luck!
8. You are going to be amazing!
9. You were made for this!
10. You’ll do great!
11. All the best to you.
12. I hope it all goes well!
13. Have a blast!
14. It’s going to be all right.
15. I wish you luck!
16. Best wishes.
17. Many blessings to you.
18. Knock them dead.
19. May luck be in your favor!
20. Blow them away!
21. I’m pretty confident that you’ll do well.
22. God speed!
23. Hope you do well!
24. I hope everything will be all right.
25. Here’s a four leaf clover.
26. Good luck.
27. Call on a higher power.
28. Better luck next time!
29. May all of your efforts yield a positive outcome.
30. Win big time!
31. Live long and prosper.
32. Go forth and conquer.
33. Take home the crown!
34. Remember me when you’re famous!
35. I hope things will work out all right.
36. May the force be with you!
37. Mesmerize them!
38. Prayers be with you.
39. Come back a legend!
40. Let me know how it went.
41. Press your thumbs together.
42. Believe in yourself and make it happen.
43. Have fun storming the castle!
44. To infinity and beyond!
45. I’m rooting for you.
46. Bring home the trophy.
47. Do yourself justice.
48. Successfully pull off the heist!
49. May the good lord bless you.
50. Hang in there, it’s all going to be all right!

1. Avoir l’estomac dans les talons = avoir très faim
J’ai l’estomac dans les talons, j’hâte de rentrer chez moi pour manger.
2. Avoir une faim de loup = avoir très faim
Je n’ai pas mangé ce matin, et maintenant j’ai une faim de loup.
3. Avoir les crocs (familier) = avoir faim
Il est midi, j’ai les crocs.
4. Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre = ne pas être capable de manger tout ce qu’on a demandé
J’ai entrepris une chose bien difficile, mais il n’y a plus à reculer, il faut la continuer ! J’ai peur d’avoir eu les yeux plus grands que le ventre !
5. Manger comme quatre (familier) = manger beaucoup
Il mange comme quatre.
6. Manger comme un ogre = manger énormement
Cet enfant mange comme un ogre
7. Avoir un appétit d’oiseau = manger très très peu
Si tu m’invite chez toi, ne fais pas beaucoup de choses à manger parce que, tu sais, moi, j’ai un appétit d’oiseau.
8. Manger sur le pouce = manger peu et vite
Je mange sur le pouce parce que je n’ai pas le temps de vraiment de déjeuner avec une entrée, un plat et un dessert.
9. Faire ripaile = bien manger et bien boire
J’ai fait la fête avec mes amis et on a fait ripaille.
10. Faire un gu**leton (familier) = faire un repas copieux
On fait un gu**leton ce week-end, est-ce que tu veut venir chez nous ?

1. Nighty night
2. Sweet dreams!
3. Sleep well
4. Have a good sleep
5. Dream about me!
6. Go to bed, you sleepy head!
7. Time to ride the rainbow to dreamland!
8. Night Night
9. Don’t forget to say your prayers!
10. Good night, the little love of my life!
11. Light out!
12. See ya’ in the mornin’!
13. I’ll be right here in the mornin’!
14. I’ll be dreaming of you!
15. Dream of Mama/Papa!
16. Goodnight, my little prince/princess!
17. Jesus loves you, and so do I!
18. Dream of me
19. Goodnight, the love of my life!
20. Goodnight

1) To hang out = spend time with someone in the context of friendship or in the context of casually exploring whether you like someone as just a friend or maybe more than a friend
I'm gonna hang out with my best friend this weekend. We should hang out some time.
2) To catch up = learn or discuss the latest news
Let's go for a coffee - I need to catch up on all the gossip.
3) To hook up = have any form of intimacy with a member of the preferred s*x that you don't consider a significant other
I hooked up with Patricia last night.
4) To fall in love = be suddenly, powerfully attracted to someone
You might dream that you'll travel to Paris someday and fall in love with a beautiful French woman.
5) To fall for someone = be attracted to someone and start to love that person
Mike has fallen for Heather.
6) To pop the question = propose marriage
When he popped the question, I said yes without a further thought.
7) To tie the knot = get married
They finally tied the knot.
8) To drift apart = gradually become less intimate or friendly
Lewis and his father drifted apart.
9) Be on the rocks = (of a relationship or enterprise) experiencing difficulties and likely to fail
His marriage was on the rocks.
10) Get over someone / be over someone = feel better after someone has made you unhappy
It took her months to get over Michael when he ended the relationship. I'm over her and ready to move on.

1) Keine Ahnung haben
Ich habe keine Ahnung, was ich tun soll.
2) Nicht die geringste Ahnung haben
Ich habe nicht die geringste Ahnung, wie hoch die nächste Stromrechnung sein sollte!
3) Keinen blassen Schimmer haben
Ich habe keinen blassen Schimmer, wo die Rechnung ist!
4) Überfragt sein
Wie viele Bücher möchte ich nächstes Jahr lesen? Da bin ich überfragt. Ich kann das jetzt noch nicht sagen.
5) Den Falschen fragen
Wenn du mir eine Frage zu Algorithmen stellst, da fragst du den Falschen.
6) Die Richtige fragen
Wenn du mich über Autoreparatur fragst, da fragst du die Richtige (ironisch).

EXPRESSIONS THAT DON'T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE

1) It’s nothing to sneeze at = something that should not be ignored or dismissed. It might be small or minor, but it is still significant.
100 dollars is not a ton of money, but it’s nothing to sneeze at.

2) There’ll be hell to pay = there will be extremely strong negative consequences – especially when someone else will get very angry.
If you ever again borrow my bicycle without asking and damage it, there’ll be hell to pay.
If you are 5 minutes late to a meeting, then there’ll be hell to pay.

3) To each his/her/their own = every person has his/her own preferences
My dad likes to put ketchup on his scrambled eggs (which I dislike). To each his own.

4) A far cry from = very different
My new house is a far cry from my old apartment.